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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) release

A Benefit in Honor of Skylab: The Mission that Launched Science into Space

ASF along with astronauts representing every era of manned spaceflight will gather on the evening of July 27, 2013 to both commemorate the 40th anniversary of Skylab's launch into space and honor the courageous, tireless and innovative men and women who made the Skylab missions, which in many ways laid the foundation for both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs, a success.

Guests then proceed into the breathtaking Apollo/Saturn V center for a sumptuous reception featuring islands of fresh salads, gourmet entrees and delicious accompaniments, as well as an open cocktail bar.

Then, in the Lunar Theatre, Skylab astronauts will share their memories of living and conducting groundbreaking science on board the world's first space station. The evening concludes with a lavish dessert spread offering a variety of tempting sweets and specialty coffees.

Private round-trip transportation between the host hotel and KSC is provided.

All eight living Skylab astronauts are scheduled to take part. The astronauts who participated in the Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT), a 56-day simulation undertaken in preparation for Skylab, are also slated to attend.

capoetc

I noticed that the tickets for this event are limited to only 75 participants, and ASF has added a breakfast event on Sunday morning.

Should be a great event!

mode1charlie

Unfortunately, can't make this one because of a schedule conflict, but sounds like another great one from ASF. Would be there if I could.

MCroft04

July is a very busy month for me, plus there are only a few months here in Maine to enjoy the summer.

But I was surprised to see that the Skylab event was not sold out, so on my knees I asked my wife if I could go. Yes I married a wonderful girl and I now have a ticket to the event. I know that I will not be disappointed.

If you have not attended one of the 40th anniversary events, I highly recommend that you buy a ticket for this one now. I have DVD's from the A15 and 16 40th events, and they are priceless.

Hope to see you there!

RSimon007

I was considering attending this event and was looking at the ASF event page.

It no longer lists William Pogue as attending. Has he had to drop out or was this just an error on the ASF website?

Robert Pearlman

Either Pogue's listing has been restored or it was a temporary error with displaying the page. He's still listed as participating.

Ken Havekotte

Just met with Pogue yesterday, and as it now stands, he is planning to attend the Skylab reunion celebration.

ASF1984

Thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm about our upcoming Skylab 40th Anniversary Celebration! We can confirm that Bill Pogue is scheduled to attend. See you there!

Incidentally, Part 4 is the one where they are discussing how they will deal with the failure of the solar panel and micro-meteoroid shield and whether/when they will launch Conrad/Kerwin/Weitz to the station -- very cool seeing Walter Cronkite discussing the issues.

Ronpur

These are fantastic! I find it interesting that every report was doom and gloom after the launch, but it kept getting more positive as it went along. But Pete was always positive!

J.L

Thanks also to Mr. Gregg Linebaugh who took the time and trouble to pull these very tapes out of the Vanderbilt University television news archives about 25 years ago. There are a few of us out there who worked with Gregg (financially) to secure these news tapes, and the CBS space material that runs rampant on YouTube. I will only say that the original tapes are much cleaner.

Thanks should also go out to Mark Gray at Spacecraft Films for going to all the work that he has gone to. Mark has spent an amazing amount of time and money putting his discs together. It pains me to see so much of his material over at YouTube.

MCroft04

Astronaut Kerwin is no longer listed on the ASF website as attending. I hope this is another oversight.

ASF1984

Unfortunately, we must confirm that Joe Kerwin is unable to attend this Saturday's event due to unforeseen circumstances. We removed his name from the website list earlier in July.

Everyone will probably be interested to know, however, that Astronaut Kerwin was gracious enough to autograph a number of items that will be available to our guests for purchase at the event.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. It's going to be great!

MCroft04

Just arrived home from another amazing space event!! More later but thanks to all the ASF staff (including volunteers) for a great time.

MCroft04

I was lucky to sit with Ed Gibson at dinner, and peppered him with questions and he had great answers.

During the program after the dinner each astronaut had an opportunity to talk about their role in Skylab. The program went into overtime, but we loved it.

I had the opportunity to talk to most of the astronauts during the dinner or at breakfast the next morning. Bill Thornton was an absolute pleasure to talk to. For breakfast I stayed for 2 hours and was able to sit with Bob Crippen, Bill Pogue, and Bill Thornton.

The ASF sold globes and CSM's signed by all the Skylab astronauts attending (Kerwin had knee replacement and Garriott had stints put in so neither made the event). I purchased the CSM which will look great in my study. I'll add Kerwin and Garriott at the November ASF show if they attend.

Also got to see Atlantis (fantastic, plus I had the pleasure of congratulating Bob Cabana at dinner for a job well done). As a bonus, KSC had a Skylab panel Saturday morning.

Thanks again to the ASF and volunteers!!! What are we going to celebrate in 2014?

mode1charlie

quote:Originally posted by MCroft04:What are we going to celebrate in 2014?

I've been hoping that ASF will start a "45th Anniversary" series, the first of which would be Apollo 7 in October of this year. Mind you, I haven't heard anything so this is merely a wish I've heard others express rather than rumored plans.

Glad the Skylab event was fun and wish I could have made it.

albatron

How much did he globes and CSM models go for?

MCroft04

The CSM went for $450. And I think Kerwin had already signed it so just missing Garriott. Not sure what the globe sold for.

ASF1984

Signed globes sold for $400. We will soon be making the few remaining ones available in the Astronaut Store!